SIX MONTHS AFTER: FUNAI VC PRESENTS SCORE CARD
- TO NAME UNIVERSITY LIBRARY AFTER PIONEER VC; ADMINISTRATIVE BLOCK AFTER PIONEER REGISTRAR
In other to keep the entire University community abreast with the developments in the University and engender the spirit of partnership, collaboration and unity of purpose that will lead to the achievement of the vision of a world-class University, the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University Ndufu Alike Ikwo, Ebonyi State, Professor Chinedum Nwajiuba on Tuesday, August 30th, 2016 presented the scorecard of his administration to the University congregation.
The VC,Prof Chinedum Nwajiuba addressing the staff
In his maiden meeting with the University Community after his assumption of office on February 26th, 2016, at the School Auditorium, Professor Nwajiuba reiterated his irrevocable commitment to excellence and Integrity, and transparency and accountability in managing the affairs of the University while also calling on staff to partner and collaborate with him in taking the University to enviable heights.
On infrastructure, the Vice Chancellor stated that since assumption of office, his administration has achieved monumental feats. These feats he noted are: Landscaping of the environment, connection of the University to national power grid in other to reduce the enormous money spent on diesel, installation of transformers to step down and connect power to offices, hostels, lecture halls and laboratories, on-going fencing of the University community to ensure security of life and property, flag off for the construction of 2, 500 sitter auditorium and attraction of investors to partner the University on key and strategic areas like the Advanced Space Technology Application Laboratory which is to be built by the National Centre for Remote Sensing (NCRS), One kilo metre of internal road to be constructed by Executive Governor of Ebonyi State, Engr. Dave Umahi, donation of a trailer load of cement by the INEC Commissioner representing the South-East Zone, Ambassador Lawrence Nwuruku, sinking of two boreholes and provision of television sets and satellite decoder for the female hostel by the Senator representing Ebonyi Central in the National Assemly, Chief Obinna Ogba and many others.
A cross section of the staff at the event
The Vice Chancellor further noted that many uncompleted projects he inherited from previous administration are receiving urgent attention in other to ensure conducive environment for teaching, learning and research, adding that the relocation of Faculties of Engineering and Technology and Basic Medical Sciences from the take Off Site to the Permanent Site of the University are testaments of infrastructural renaissance under his administration.
On the academic sphere, Professor Nwajiuba said it was imperative to create new and demerge fused faculties and departments for academic excellence and to provide more admission opportunities for the teeming youths of Nigeria, while also maintaining quality. For this reason, Faculty of Management and Social Sciences was carved out from Humanities and Social Sciences, while also introducing Banking and Finance as a new discipline. Two new Faculties of Agriculture and Education were also established after getting approval from the National Universities Commission to ensure the programmes meet national and international best practices.
Professor Nwajiuba decried the erosion of academic excellence and dearth of integrity in Nigerian Universities especially on the part of academics, saying ‘’no institution can grow above the level of her academics’’ and stressed the need for lecturers to imbibe international best practices in their intellectual works so that the University can realise its goal of graduating students that can soar like eagles in all spheres of life.
VC, Prof. Chinedum Nwajiuba (R) and the Pioneer Registrar, Mr. Gabriel Chukwu during the event
The Vice Chancellor maintained that vices such as sexual harassments, sale of marks, admission racketeering, lateness and absenteeism were unethical and must be shunned by all staff of the University, adding that culprits will definitely be punished accordingly. And further enjoined all staff to join hands with him to make the University a Centre of Excellence and Integrity where students are groomed to meet the demands of globalized economy and pledged the commitment of the University Management to improved staff welfare.
Pioneer Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof.Oye Ibidapo-Obe
The high point of the meeting was a pledge to name the main University Library after the pioneer Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof.Oye Ibidapo-Obe and also to name the Administrative building after the Pioneer Registrar, Mr. Gabriel O. Chukwu by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Nwajiuba after due consultation with the University Governing council.
He stated “we shall consult with the University Governing Council and National Universities Commission and take into cognizance of the invaluable works done by Prof. Oye Ibidapo-Obe and Mr. Gabriel O. Chukwu as pioneers Vice Chancellor and Registrar respectively, we will name the University Library and Administrative block after them in appreciation.”